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On the positive side it looks like the new nuclear station at Hinkley is finally going ahead, China leads the world in the development of renewables (followed by the US), and both China and the US have ratified COP21.

One reason given was that EU member states wish to ratify the treaty in a co-ordinated fashion and to set national targets first. However, the EU as a whole plus seven member states have signed, so why is the UK hesitant? Presumably, uncertainty about the UK's position post-referendum.

The threshold to enact the Paris Agreement – 55% of the 197 parties signing up – was reached on 5 October 2016, with it "entering into force" on 4 November 2016.

The best way to look at this is that energy has to be integral with business and industrial strategy. I just hope that's the real reason. If it isn't, it will be even harder to achieve climate change goals.

Whatever the motivation behind the departmental changes, Brexit is a massive diversion causing a hiatus across all departments, pending recruitment, re-organisation and working out what Brexit actually means.

To start with, we should help clients set the right brief with the objectives of zero carbon and sustainableenergy – that we will not emit any CO2 emissions. The challenges are massive and we need to get on with it.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was quoted at the event: "Ours is the first generation that can end poverty, and the last that can take steps to avoid the worst impacts of climate change."

These interim targets are legally binding along with an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050. The report contains recommendations that government should follow – including, notably, the adoption of a whole systems approach.

What we really need though is a UKenergy policy that can be seen to be credible through such analysis, to which successive governments adhere and which gives confidence to industry and investors.

That doesn't mean it has to be totally rigid. Circumstances change, so adjustments – "light touches on the tiller" – will be necessary. These can be prescribed according to progress across a range of parameters. F or example, subsidies for solid wall insulation could be increased or decreased to keep within the range of expected number of installations shown in Chart 1 of The Carbon Plan [page 6]:

Considering the importance of all three prongs of the trilemma – security of supply, affordability and decarbonisation – the UK urgently needs new sources of electricity.

This fact is graphically illustrated by massive peaks (between 29 and 40 pence per kWh cf an average of about 6.4p/kWh) in the wholesale price of electricity on three successive days in September 2016:

The precise reasons are varied and may be unusual but these high prices, albeit for short periods, are indicative of the UK's narrowing capacity margin.

Consumers, both domestic and industrial, may regard energyprices as being high. The media gives prominent exposure to alleged overpricing, attracting customers with low tariffs that go up in time, and the difficulty that many families on low incomes have in affording the electricity and gas they need.

The last of these at least is genuine. However, fossil fuelprices are at such a low level that investors are not even proceeding with combined cycle gas turbine stations which are probably the cheapest and quickest to build, and most profitable, of any type of power station.

I believe that this is the area where engineers should have the greatest influence and effect. PAS 2080 provides a clear process, with metrics. We should follow its guidance on new projects to the maximum extent possible and encourage our clients to do likewise. Reducing cost and increasing value are strong incentives for any business or investor.